The Optimal Cumulative Dose of Rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin Induction in Adult Heart Transplantation

Purpose To determine the optimal cumulative dose of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) regarding its efficacy and safety and to evaluate the target level of CD3+ T cell count for induction therapy in adult heart transplantation. Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled adult patients undergoing heart transplantation in a medical center between January 2016 and July 2019. The rATG induction was initiated postoperatively at a dose of 0.75-1 mg/kg/day for 3-5 days to maintain CD3+ counts Results A total of 62 patients with 189 doses of rATG were enrolled. The first dose and the cumulative dose of rATG were 0.67 ± 0.18 mg/kg and 1.44 ± 0.40 mg/kg. The cut-off point for the cumulative dose of rATG in achieving CD3+ count Conclusion A cumulative rATG dose of 1.2 mg/kg may be effective in achieving CD3+ counts